Wharton’s research centers and initiatives are at the frontier of finance, promoting innovative research and groundbreaking programs in areas including investment management, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, quantitative finance, fintech, financial policy, and regulation. Explore the future of finance below.
Future of Finance Podcast
The Rise of Crypto | Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula
Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment to a global financial force. But how did we get here? Itay Goldstein is joined by Duke professor Campbell Harvey and Neha Narula, director of the MIT Media Lab’s Digital Currency Initiative, to explore the milestones that led to crypto’s rise, the forces that shaped its growth, and what the crypto landscape will evolve into.
Research Discoveries
The “Pecking Order” of Firm Growth
Are growing companies better off acting on new, innovative ideas — or scaling their existing ones? Professor Thomas Winberry shows that financial constraints can delay a company’s shift toward innovation, and that these delays have significant consequences for long-run growth. Read more here!
The Financial Power of Data Sharing Among Firms
What is the scope of data-sharing across firms, and what are the economic implications? Professor Huan Tang uncovers a hidden network of inter-firm data flows – revealing that companies are connected not only by products or supply chains, but by the information they exchange. Read more here!
What Shapes Analysts’ Long-Term Forecasts?
How do professional forecasters think about a firm’s growth far into the future? Marius Guenzel, assistant professor of finance at the Wharton School, discusses his paper “What Drives Very Long-Run Cash Flow Expectations?” which uncovers the different factors that shape the long-term forecasts that drive valuations. Read more here!
Events
Explore Recent Events
Wharton Alternative Investments Summit: For Rising Leaders in Private Equity
On May 30, 2025, leaders from the world of private equity gathered at the Penn Museum to share insights and reconnect with fellow Wharton alumni working in the alternative investments industry. Hosted by the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program, the summit offered a platform for rising leaders to engage in important dialogue on innovation, long-term value creation, and the future of private equity.
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Cypher Accelerator Demo and Innovation Day
On April 4, 2025, Wharton Cypher Accelerator and the Stevens Center for Innovation in Finance welcomed investors, founders, and thought leaders to the Penn Club of New York for the annual Demo and Innovation Day: a showcase of bold ideas at the intersection of FinTech, AI, and blockchain.
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Wharton Future of Finance Forum
On December 9, 2024, the Harris Family Alternative Investments Program and the Rodney L. White Center for Financial Research hosted the second annual Wharton Future of Finance Forum at Penn Washington. This year’s event brought together leading voices from academia, industry, and government to explore the transformative forces shaping global finance. As panelists engaged in these dynamic discussions, the iconic view of the Capitol building just outside the window served as a powerful reminder of the intersection between finance and policy.
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About
Finance centers at the Wharton School serve as thought leaders for innovative research by supporting and disseminating cutting-edge work in areas including investment management, private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, quantitative finance, fintech, policy, and regulation.